just an hour from sea bright, another small town was badly damaged by sandy. of the community's 520 homes, 60 were washed away and 139 remain uninhabitable. still without electricity, gas, sewers or water. >> we're the smallest town with the most amount of damage. we have to take it one step at a time. we can't expect anything to happen overnight. it's baby steps. >> brown: on new york's staten island some of those who lost their homes spent christmas in shelters. >> this is actually the first time ever since 1916 there won't be a member of my family in my home on christmas morning. >> brown: meanwhile others have left new york for temporary homes in places like new milford, connecticut. >> right now i'm just taking it all in, just to even have my own little personal space is such a luxury. you change your goals. you change your priorities, your basic... everything changes. >> brown: yet some areas are showing signs of life again. in recent weeks businesses in seaside heights, new jersey, have been reopening to very grateful customers. >> this is very good. i